Adaptable sheet of coils

ABSTRACT

An imaging system is presented. The imaging system includes a cradle, and a first sheet of coils disposed inside of the cradle such that a first end of the first sheet of coils protrudes out of the cradle and a second end of the first sheet of coils is coupled to a structure, wherein a requisite expanse of the first sheet of coils is flexibly pulled out from the cradle by pulling the first end.

BACKGROUND

In just a few decades, the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scanners has grown tremendously. MRI scans are being increasingly usedto aid in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, tornligaments, tendonitis, cancer, strokes, and the like. As will beappreciated, MRI is a non-invasive medical test that aids physicians inthe diagnoses and treatment of various medical conditions. The enhancedcontrast that an MRI scan provides between the different soft tissues ofthe body allows physicians to better evaluate the various parts of thebody and determine the presence of certain diseases that may not beassessed adequately with other imaging methods such as X-ray,ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT).

An MRI system typically includes one or more coils to generate themagnetic field. Additionally, the MRI system also includes one or moreMRI receiver coils configured to detect signals from a gyromagneticmaterial within a patient. The MRI receiver coils, hereinafter ‘receivercoils’, are used for patients of various sizes and shapes. Typically,the same sheet of receiver coils is used for patients of various sizes.The usage of the same sheet of receiver coils for patients of varioussizes may either result in discomfort of the patients or inferiorquality images. For example, the loosely fitting sheet of receiver coilsmay result in poor image quality and the tightly body hugging sheet ofreceiver coils may result in anxiety of a patient. Sometimes multiplesheets of receiver coils of various sizes may be maintained by imagingusers for patients of different sizes. However, maintaining the multiplesheets of receiver coils adds to the cost of imaging and requiresadditional selection and installation time. Furthermore, the selectedreceiver coils may not fit a patient adequately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

An imaging system is presented. The imaging system includes a cradle,and a first sheet of coils disposed inside of the cradle such that afirst end of the first sheet of coils protrudes out of the cradle and asecond end of the first sheet of coils is coupled to a structure,wherein a requisite expanse of the first sheet of coils is flexiblypulled out from the cradle by pulling the first end.

DRAWINGS

These and other features and aspects of embodiments of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of an exemplary imaging system inthe form of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system configured to usethe systems and methods of FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system that shows anadaptable first sheet of coils, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent systems;

FIG. 3 a is a cross-sectional view of a cradle with a storage structureshown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentsystems;

FIG. 3 b is a cross-sectional view of the cradle shown in FIG. 2, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present systems;

FIG. 4 a shows a perspective top view of a storage structure with afirst sheet of coils, in accordance with one aspect of the presentsystems and techniques;

FIG. 4 b shows a perspective top view of the storage structure shown inFIG. 4 a when a portion of the first sheet of coils has been pulled out,in accordance with one aspect of the present systems and techniques;

FIG. 5 a, FIG. 5 b and FIG. 5 c are diagrammatic illustrations to show amethod of operating a storage structure (workflow), in accordance withone aspect of the present systems and techniques; and

FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b are diagrammatic illustration of a storagestructure to shows that a requisite expanse of a first sheet of coilsvaries based upon a patient size.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be described in detail hereinafter, imaging systems that useadaptable sheet of coils for imaging patients of varied sizes andgeometries are presented. The imaging systems store the sheet of coilsinside a cradle, and a requisite expanse of the sheet of coils may bepulled out based upon a unique size, a unique geometry and an anatomicalregion of a patient. In one embodiment, the word “cradle” refers to amoving part of a table. For example, in a magnetic resonance imagingsystem (MRI), the word “cradle”, refers to a moving part of a patient'stable. When a patient lies down on the cradle, the cradle may be movedinside a magnet bore to move the patient into the magnet bore forimaging. The cradle further brings out the patient at the conclusion ofimaging. The patient's table, for example, may be fixed at a location.As used herein, the term “requisite expanse” is used to refer to aportion of a sheet of coils that adequately, comfortably and closelyfits a patient based upon the unique size, geometry and subjectanatomical region of the patient. Additionally, the cradle in theimaging systems automatically retracts the pulled out requisite expanseof the sheet of coils after completion of the imaging process.Furthermore, various embodiments of a storage structure that are usedfor storing the sheet of coils inside the cradle are presented. Byemploying the adaptable sheet of coils and the storage structure forstoring the adaptable sheet of coils, the installation time required bya user (for example, a Radiologist or MR technician) for installing thesheet of coils during imaging process is reduced. Furthermore, the usageof the present systems and methods aid in getting superior image qualityand a comfortable imaging experience for the patient.

Turning now to the drawings, and referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram ofan embodiment of an MRI imaging system 10 is depicted. The MRI system 10is illustrated diagrammatically as including a scanner 14, scannercontrol circuitry 16, and system control circuitry 18. While the MRIsystem 10 may include any suitable MRI scanner or detector, in theillustrated embodiment the system includes a full body scanner includinga patient bore 20 into which a cradle 22 may be positioned to place apatient 12 in a desired position for scanning. The scanner 14 may be ofany suitable field strength, including scanners varying from 0.5 Teslato 3 Tesla field strength and beyond. As used herein, the term patientis used to refer to a human person or animal that is the subject of theimaging application. It is noted that other subjects or objects can alsobe imaged using the MRI imaging system.

Additionally, the scanner 14 may include a series of associated coilsfor producing controlled magnetic fields, for generating radio-frequency(RF) excitation pulses, and for detecting signals from gyromagneticmaterial within the patient 12 in response to such pulses. In thediagrammatical view of FIG. 1, a primary magnet coil 24 may be providedfor generating a primary magnetic field generally aligned with patientbore 20. A series of gradient coils 26, 28 and 30 may be grouped in acoil assembly for generating controlled magnetic gradient fields duringexamination sequences as will be described in greater detailhereinafter. A RF coil 32 may be provided for generating radio frequencypulses for exciting the gyromagnetic material. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the coil 32 also serves as a receiving coil.Thus, the RF coil 32 may be coupled with driving and receiving circuitryin passive and active modes for receiving signals from the gyromagneticmaterial and for applying RF excitation pulses, respectively.Alternatively, various configurations of receiving coils may be providedseparate from the RF coil 32. Such coils may include structuresspecifically adapted for target anatomies, such as head coil assemblies,and so forth. Moreover, receiving coils may be provided in any suitablephysical configuration, including phased array coils, and so forth.

In a presently contemplated configuration, the gradient coils areidentified by 26, 28 and 30. As will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art, the coils include conductive wires, bars or plates that arewound or cut to form a coil structure that generates a gradient fieldupon application of control pulses as described below. The placement ofthe coils within the gradient coil assembly may be done in severaldifferent orders. In one embodiment, a Z-axis coil may be positioned atan innermost location, and may be formed generally as a solenoid-likestructure that has relatively little impact on the RF magnetic field.Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the gradient coil 30 is the Z-axissolenoid coil, while coils 26 and 28 are Y-axis and X-axis coilsrespectively.

The coils of the scanner 14 may be controlled by external circuitry togenerate desired fields and pulses, and to read signals from thegyromagnetic material in a controlled manner. As will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art, when the material, typically bound in tissuesof the patient 12, is subjected to the primary field, individualmagnetic moments of the paramagnetic nuclei in the tissue partiallyalign with the field. While a net magnetic moment is produced in thedirection of the polarizing field, the randomly oriented components ofthe moment in a perpendicular plane generally cancel one another. Duringan examination sequence, an RF frequency pulse is generated at or nearthe Larmor frequency of the material of interest, resulting in rotationof the net aligned moment to produce a net transverse magnetic moment.This transverse magnetic moment precesses around the main magnetic fielddirection, emitting RF signals that are detected by the scanner 14 andprocessed for reconstruction of the desired image.

The gradient coils 26, 28 and 30 may be configured to serve to generateprecisely controlled magnetic fields, the strength of which vary over apredefined field of view, typically with positive and negative polarity.When each coil is energized with known electric current, the resultingmagnetic field gradient is superimposed over the primary field andproduces a desirably linear variation in the Z-axis component of themagnetic field strength across the field of view. The field varieslinearly in one direction, but is homogenous in the other two. The threecoils have mutually orthogonal axes for the direction of theirvariation, enabling a linear field gradient to be imposed in anarbitrary direction with an appropriate combination of the threegradient coils.

The pulsed gradient fields perform various functions integral to theimaging process. Some of these functions are slice selection, frequencyencoding and phase encoding. These functions may be applied along theX-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis of the original coordinate system or alongother axes determined by combinations of pulsed currents applied to theindividual field coils.

The slice select gradient determines a slab of tissue or anatomy to beimaged in the patient 12. The slice select gradient field may be appliedsimultaneously with a frequency selective RF pulse to excite a knownvolume of spins within a desired slice that precess at the samefrequency. The slice thickness is determined by the bandwidth of the RFpulse and the gradient strength across the field of view.

The frequency encoding gradient is also known as the readout gradient,and is usually applied in a direction perpendicular to the slice selectgradient. In general, the frequency encoding gradient is applied beforeand during the formation of the magnetic resonance (MR) echo signalresulting from the RF excitation. Spins of the gyromagnetic materialunder the influence of this gradient are frequency encoded according totheir spatial position along the gradient field. By Fouriertransformation, acquired signals may be analyzed to identify theirlocation in the selected slice by virtue of the frequency encoding.

Finally, the phase encode gradient is generally applied before thereadout gradient and after the slice select gradient. Localization ofspins in the gyromagnetic material in the phase encode direction may beaccomplished by sequentially inducing variations in phase of theprecessing protons of the material using slightly different gradientamplitudes that are sequentially applied during the data acquisitionsequence. The phase encode gradient permits phase differences to becreated among the spins of the material in accordance with theirposition in the phase encode direction.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a great number ofvariations may be devised for pulse sequences employing the exemplarygradient pulse functions described hereinabove as well as other gradientpulse functions not explicitly described here. Moreover, adaptations inthe pulse sequences may be made to appropriately orient both theselected slice and the frequency and phase encoding to excite thedesired material and to acquire resulting MR signals for processing.

The coils of the scanner 14 are controlled by the scanner controlcircuitry 16 to generate the desired magnetic field and RF pulses. Inthe diagrammatical view of FIG. 1, the scanner control circuitry 16 thusincludes a control circuit 36 for commanding the pulse sequencesemployed during the examinations, and for processing received signals.The control circuit 36 may include any suitable programmable logicdevice, such as a CPU or digital signal processor of a general purposeor application-specific computer. Also, the control circuit 36 mayfurther include memory circuitry 38, such as volatile and non-volatilememory devices for storing physical and logical axis configurationparameters, examination pulse sequence descriptions, acquired imagedata, programming routines, and so forth, used during the examinationsequences implemented by the scanner.

The interface between the control circuit 36 and the coils of thescanner 14 is managed by amplification and control circuitry 40 and bytransmission and receive interface circuitry 42. The amplification andcontrol circuitry 40 includes amplifiers for each gradient field coil tosupply drive current to the field coils in response to control signalsfrom the control circuit 36. Transmit/receive (T/R) circuitry 42includes additional amplification circuitry for driving the RF coil 32.Moreover, where the RF coil 32 serves both to emit the RF excitationpulses and to receive MR signals, the T/R circuitry 42 may typicallyinclude a switching device for toggling the RF coil between active ortransmitting mode, and passive or receiving mode. A power supply,denoted generally by reference numeral 34 in FIG. 1, is provided forenergizing the primary magnet 24. Finally, the scanner control circuitry16 may include interface components 44 for exchanging configuration andimage data with the system control circuitry 18. It should be notedthat, while in the present description reference is made to a horizontalcylindrical bore imaging system employing a superconducting primaryfield magnet assembly, the present technique may be applied to variousother configurations.

The system control circuitry 18 may include a wide range of devices forfacilitating interface between an operator or radiologist and thescanner 14 via the scanner control circuitry 16. In the illustratedembodiment, for example, an operator controller 46 is provided in theform of a computer workstation employing a general purpose orapplication-specific computer. The workstation also typically includesmemory circuitry for storing examination pulse sequence descriptions,examination protocols, user and patient data, image data, both raw andprocessed, and so forth. Further, the workstation may further includevarious interface and peripheral drivers for receiving and exchangingdata with local and remote devices. In the illustrated embodiment, suchdevices include a conventional computer keyboard 50 and an alternativeinput device such as a mouse 52. A printer 54 may be provided forgenerating hard copy output of documents and images reconstructed fromthe acquired data. Moreover, a computer monitor 48 may be provided forfacilitating operator interface. In addition, the system 10 may includevarious local and remote image access and examination control devices,represented generally by reference numeral 56 in FIG. 1. Such devicesmay include picture archiving and communication systems, teleradiologysystems, and the like.

As will be appreciated, surface coils are used to receive signals duringimaging processes. Prior to imaging, coils may be disposed on or underone or more anatomical regions of a patient. In the presentlycontemplated configuration, a sheet of receiver coils 58 is disposedover the patient 12. For superior image quality and a comfortableimaging experience, the receiver coils 58 adequately and closely fit thepatient 12. Furthermore, a second sheet of coils 60 may be disposedunder the patient 12.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system 200 that shows anadaptable first sheet of coils 202, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present systems. For example, the first sheet of coils 202 may bethe coils 58 (shown in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the first sheet ofcoils 202 may be used in the MRI 10 explained with reference to FIG. 1.The first sheet of coils 202, for example, may be a plurality of coils204 that are disposed on/inside one or more layers of flexible substrate206, or a rigid substrate, or combinations thereof. An example of such asheet of coils is described in co-owned, co-pending application Ser. No.12/977,534 entitled, “System and Method for Inductively CommunicatingData,” and Ser. No. 12/977,551 entitled “System and Method forCommunicating Data.” The plurality of coils 204, for example, may bereceiver coils, transmitter coils, anterior receiver coils, posteriorreceiver coils, radio frequency coils, and the like. The flexiblesubstrate 206 may be formed using a thin dielectric material such as apolyimide film or FR-4. Furthermore, the flexible substrate 206 may alsoincorporate a thin foam padding and/or covering, in certain embodiments.While in the presently contemplated configuration, the plurality ofcoils 204 are shown as being disposed on the flexible substrate 206, incertain embodiments, the plurality of coils 204 may be partiallydisposed on a rigid substrate (not shown) and partially on the flexiblesubstrate 206. In one embodiment, the first sheet of coils 202 mayinclude electrocardiography probes or ultrasound probes. In oneembodiment, the first sheet of coils 202 may include one or more sensorsfor radio frequency catheter tracking.

In accordance with certain other aspects of the present techniques, theflexible substrate 206 is fashioned in the form of a blanket of coils.As used herein, the term blanket is used to broadly define a flexiblesubstrate having the plurality of coils 204 that is placed on thepatient 12. Also, the blanket is configured to be disposed on thepatient 12 to cover the section of the patient 12 that is the focus ofthe scanning, examination or imaging. Also, the length and size of theblanket may be dependent upon an anatomical region of the patient 12being scanned, examined or imaged. Particularly, the blanket may besized such that the anatomical region of the patient 12 being scanned isadequately accommodated by the blanket. As used herein, the term“blanket” and “first sheet of coils” will be interchangeably used. Whilethe presently contemplated configuration shows disposing the first sheetof the coils 202 over the patient 12, the first sheet of coils 202 maybe disposed under the patient 12 or on any other body part of thepatient 12. By way of example, if it is desirable to scan an upperregion of the patient 12, then the blanket may be wrapped around theupper portion of the patient 12 or be disposed under the upper portionof the patient 12. Similarly, if a lower region of the patient 12 isbeing scanned, then the blanket is wrapped around the lower portion ofthe patient 12 or be disposed under the lower portion of the patient 12.

In the presently contemplated configuration, the system 200 is aMagnetic Resonance Imaging System, and the first sheet of coils 202 isshown as a sheet of receiver coils, however, the system 200 may be anyother system and the first sheet of coils 202 may be transmitter coils.Prior to the commencement of the scanning procedure, the patient 12 ispositioned on the patient cradle 22 of the imaging system 200.Subsequently the patient 12 is covered by the first sheet of receivercoils 202. Due to various sizes and geometries of patients it isdesirable to have a requisite expanse of the first sheet of the receivercoils 202 that adequately covers the patient 12. Accordingly, the firstsheet of receiver coils 202 is required to adequately and closely fitpatients of all sizes. For example, for a bigger size patient, moreexpanse of the first sheet of receiver coils 202 is required. However,for a patient of smaller size, lesser expanse of the first sheet ofreceiver coils 202 is required.

The presently contemplated configuration shows a storage structure 208located inside the cradle 22. The storage structure 208 stores the firstsheet of the coils 202 and facilitates a user to pull out a requisiteexpanse of the first sheet of coils 202. The requisite expanse of thefirst sheet of the coils 202, for example, may be pulled out based uponthe size of the patient 12 or the anatomical region to be scanned,imaged or examined For example, in the presently contemplatedconfiguration, a first portion 210 of the first sheet of coils 202 isused to adequately cover the patient 12. It is noted that the firstportion 210 is a requisite expanse of the first sheet of the coils 202that is required to adequately and comfortably cover the patient 12. Asecond portion 212 of the first sheet of the coils 202 remains storedinside the cradle 22. The storage structure 208, for example, may be aspring load arrangement, a pleated or Venetian blind arrangement, adrum, or the like. Embodiments of the storage structure are explainedwith reference to FIG. 3 a, FIG. 3 b, FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4 b.

The first sheet of coils 202 is stored by the storage structure 208 suchthat a first end (not shown in FIG. 2, shown in FIG. 3 a) of the firstsheet of coils 202 protrudes out of a first edge 214 of the cradle 22.The first end, for example, protrudes out of a slit 209 located on theupper surface and near the first edge 214 of the cradle 22. In oneembodiment, a second end (not shown in FIG. 2, shown in FIG. 3 a) of thefirst sheet of coils 202 is coupled to another structure (not shown inFIG. 2). The another structure, for example, may be a feeder, a mixer, apreamplifier, a fixed structure, an immovable structure, or combinationsthereof. In one embodiment, the storage structure 208 extends inside thecradle 22 from the first edge 214 until a second edge 216 inside thecradle 22. As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the storage structure208 is located inside and along the width 224 of the cradle 22. Thelocation of the storage structure 208, for example, may be based uponthe anatomical region to be scanned, imaged or examined. For example, inone embodiment, when upper body portion of the patient 12 is scanned,the storage structure 208 may be located near a top edge 218 of thecradle 22. Also, when the lower body portion of the patient 12 is to bescanned, the storage structure 208 may be located near a bottom edge 220of the cradle 22. In one embodiment, the location of the storagestructure 208 may be varied in between the top edge 218 and the bottomedge 220 based upon the body portion of the patient 12 to be scanned. Inone embodiment, the storage structure 208 is located near the bottomedge 220 such that an end of the first sheet of coils 202 protrudes outof the bottom edge 220 of the cradle 22. In one embodiment, the storagestructure 208 may move from respective location. Accordingly, thestorage structure 208 may be moved from a first location to a secondlocation based upon an anatomical region of the patient 12 to be imaged.For example, when the torso of the patient 12 is imaged, the storagestructure 208 may be moved near the top edge 218 or in the middle of thecradle 22. In still another embodiment, the storage structure 208 maystore multiple sheets of coils. The storage structure 208, for example,may store the multiple sheets of coils in series along an edge of thecradle 22. Furthermore, one or more of the multiple sheets of coils maybe pulled out based upon the expanse and number of anatomical regions ofthe patient 12 to be imaged.

The system 200 further includes a second sheet of coils (e.g. posteriorcoil array) 222 that may be disposed under the cradle 22, over thecradle 22 or inside the cradle 22. The second sheet of coils 222, forexample, may be the second sheet of coils 60 (see FIG. 1). In thepresently contemplated configuration, the second sheet of coils 222 isdisposed inside the cradle 22 as shown by dashed lines. The second sheetof coils 222, for example, may be a plurality of coils (not shown) thatare disposed on a flexible substrate, or a rigid substrate, orcombinations thereof. The plurality of coils, for example, may bereceiver coils, transmitter coils, anterior receiver coils, posteriorreceiver coils, radio frequency coils, and the like.

Moving now to FIG. 3 a, a cross-sectional view 300 of the cradle 22 whenviewed from the direction AA′ in FIG. 2, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present systems, is presented. The cross-sectionalview 300 shows storage of the first sheet of coils 202. Additionally,the cross-sectional view 300 shows an embodiment of the storagestructure 208. In the presently contemplated configuration, the storagestructure 208 is a spring load arrangement. In the presentlycontemplated configuration, the entire expanse of the first sheet ofcoils 202 is showed as being stored by the storage structure 208, and noportion of the first sheet of coils 202 is shown as being pulled out.

As shown in FIG. 3 a, the spring load arrangement 208 stores the firstsheet of coils 202 inside the cradle 22 in an S-shape. As previouslynoted with reference to FIG. 2 and shown in FIG. 3 a, a first end 302 ofthe first sheet of coils 202 protrudes out of the cradle 22 through theslit 209. In this embodiment, the slit 209 is located near the firstedge 214 and on the top surface 304 of the cradle 22. Furthermore, aspreviously noted with reference to FIG. 2 and shown in FIG. 3 a, asecond end 306 of the first sheet of coils 202 is coupled to anotherstructure 308. In the presently contemplated configuration, the anotherstructure 308 is a feed board. The feed board 308, for example, includesa preamplifier, a mixer, or the like. The fixed coupling of the secondend 306 of the first sheet of coils 202 to the feed board 308 includesphysical coupling of the internal wires of the plurality of coils 204(see FIG. 2) in the first sheet of coils 202 to the preamplifier, or themixer. Furthermore, the fixed coupling of the first sheet of coils 202includes a fixed coupling of the flexible substrate 206 (see FIG. 2) toa surface of the feed board 308. In the presently contemplatedconfiguration, the feed board 308 is coupled to a fixed structure 309that is coupled to the cradle 22. Since the fixed structure 309, isfixed and immovable relative to the cradle 22, the feed board 308 andthe second end 306 of the first sheet of coils 202 are fixed relative tothe cradle 22. It is noted that the fixed structure 309 may travel withthe cradle 22 when moving the patient 12 into and out of the magnet andmay be connected by cables that run on cable tracks to stationaryconnections.

As previously noted, the first end 302 of the first sheet of coils 202protrudes out of the slit 209. The first end 302, for example, may bemade of a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. The first end 302,for example, is used to hold and pull out a portion of the first sheetof coils 202 by a user (not shown). The portion of the first sheet ofcoils 202, for example, may be the first portion 210 (shown in FIG. 2)or a requisite expanse that is used for covering an anatomical region ofthe patient 12. Subsequent to covering the anatomical region of thepatient 12, the user (not shown) may fasten the first end 302 on asurface near the second edge 216 of the cradle 22. The user, forexample, may fasten the first end 302 near the second edge 216 using afastener. In one embodiment, the first end 302 may have one or morefasteners. The fasteners on the first end 302, for example, may be oneor more latch like structures. It is noted that any suitable fasteningarrangement may be used. In certain embodiments, a first fastener 311may be disposed on the first end 302 and a second fastener 313 may bedisposed on a surface near the second edge 216 of the cradle 22. Thefirst fastener 311 and the second fastener 313 may be fastened to oneanother to attach the first end 302 to the surface near the second edge216 of the cradle 22. The first fastener 311, and the second fastener313, for example, may include a hook and loop strip, non-metallicsnap-on buttons, or the like. Subsequent to the fastening of the firstend 302 to the surface near the second edge 216 of the cradle 22, anyextra portion of the first sheet of coils 202 that has been pulled outby the user is retracted by the storage structure 208 leaving arequisite expanse over the patient 12. Accordingly, the requisiteexpanse closely and comfortably fits the patient based upon the size andgeometry of the patient.

As shown in FIG. 3 a, the first sheet of coils 202 is stored by thestorage structure 208 such that the first sheet of coils 202 is disposedaround a plurality of first set of rotatable bodies 310, a plurality ofsprings 312 and a plurality of second set of rotatable bodies 314 toform the S-shape. As used herein, the term “set” is used to refer to asingle rotatable body. The terms “first set” and “second set” are usedherein to differentiate the plurality of first set of rotatable bodies310 from the plurality of second set of rotatable bodies 314. It isnoted that in one embodiment, the plurality of first set of rotatablebodies 310 may be a single rotatable body. Furthermore, it is noted thatin one embodiment the plurality of second set of rotatable bodies 314may be a single rotatable body. As used herein, the term “first set ofrotatable bodies” and the term “second set of rotatable bodies” refer tobodies or objects that are capable of rotating. The first set ofrotatable bodies 310 and the second set of rotatable bodies 314, forexample, include a wheel, a sphere, a cylinder, or the like.Hereinafter, the terms “rotatable body/bodies” and “wheel/wheels” willbe used interchangeably. It is noted that while the storage structure208 has the plurality of first set of rotatable bodies 310, theplurality of springs 312 and the plurality of second set of rotatablebodies 314, the present view being a cross-sectional view 300 shows thesingle first set wheel 310, the single spring 312 and the single secondset wheel 314. A top view, when viewed from direction B, of the storagestructure 208 with the first sheet of coils 202 is shown in FIG. 4 a. Inone embodiment, the plurality of first set of wheels 310 are parallel toeach other. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the plurality of second setof wheels 314 are parallel to each other. Additionally, in oneembodiment, the plurality of springs 312 are parallel to each other.

As shown in FIG. 3 a, the plurality of first set of rotatable bodies 310is located near the first edge 214 and under the slit 209. In oneembodiment, each of the first set of rotatable bodies 310 are fixed atrespective locations and do not move from respective locations. However,each of the first set of rotatable bodies 310 may rotate aroundrespective axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the plurality of firstset of rotatable bodies 310 are coupled to a first axle shaft (shown inFIG. 4 a). It is noted that when the plurality of first set of rotatablebodies 310 is a single rotatable body, then the plurality of first setof rotatable bodies 310 are not connected by the first axle shaft. It isfurther noted that when the plurality of second set of rotatable bodies314 is a single rotatable body 314, then the plurality of second set ofrotatable bodies 314 are not connected by the second axle shaft. Theplurality of first set of rotatable bodies 310, for example, is fixedlycoupled to the first axle shaft. Therefore, the first set of rotatablebodies 312 and the first axle shaft may rotate in unison aroundrespective axis of rotation. One end (not shown) of the first axle shaftis fixedly coupled to one edge (not shown) of the cradle 22, and anotherend (not shown) of the first axle shaft is fixedly coupled to anotherend (not shown) of the cradle 22. The fixed coupling of the one end andanother end of the first axle shaft with the one end and another end ofthe cradle 22 may include rotatable coupling. Therefore, while the firstaxle shaft and the first set of rotatable bodies 310 are fixed andimmovable, the first axle shaft and the first set of rotatable bodies310 may rotate around respective axis of rotation.

Additionally, the plurality of second set of rotatable bodies 314 islocated near the second edge 216 inside the cradle 22. In oneembodiment, the plurality of second set of rotatable bodies 314 arecoupled to a second axle shaft (shown in FIG. 4 a). The plurality ofsecond set of rotatable bodies 314, for example, is fixedly coupled tothe second axle shaft. Therefore, the second set of rotatable bodies 314and the second axle shaft may rotate in unison around respective axis ofrotation. The second axle shaft may not be fixedly coupled with thecradle 22, and therefore the second axle shaft and the second set ofwheels 314 may move from respective locations, for example, linearmovement. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the second set of rotatablebodies 314 are moveably coupled to the plurality of springs 312.Accordingly, each of the second set of rotatable bodies 314 may movelinearly with a motion of respective spring in the plurality of springs312. For example, a displaced location of the second set of rotatablebodies 314 is shown in FIG. 4 b.

In one embodiment, a first end 316 of one or more of the springs 312 isfixedly coupled to a respective second set wheel in the second setwheels 314 such that the fixed coupling does not hinder rotation of therespective second set wheel. In certain embodiments, the first end 316of one or more of the springs 312 may be coupled to the second axleshaft. Additionally, in one embodiment, a second end 318 of each of thesprings 312 is fixedly coupled to the inner side of the first edge 214of the cradle 22. However as shown in FIG. 3 b, in certain embodiments,the second end 318 of each of the springs 312 is fixedly coupled to theinner side of the second edge 216 of the cradle 22.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of first set of rotatable bodies310 and the plurality of second set of rotatable bodies 314 have teeth320, 322, respectively. Furthermore, the first sheet of coils 202 has aplurality of holes (shown in FIG. 4 a). The teeth 320, 322 penetratethrough one or more of the plurality of holes (not shown in FIG. 3 a,shown in FIG. 4 a). For example, reference numeral 324 points to a smallportion of one of the teeth 320 that protrudes out of a hole in thefirst sheet of coils 202.

In operation, when the first end 302 of the first sheet of coils 202 ispulled out by a user, a force is exerted on the first set of rotatablebodies 310 and the springs 312. As previously noted, the first set ofrotatable bodies 310 are fixed and therefore, though the application ofthe force facilitates rotation of the first set of rotatable bodies 310,the force does not change the locations of the first set of rotatablebodies 310. The application of the force on the springs 312 results incontraction of each of the springs 312, and therefore, the springs 312displace from an original state or equilibrium state (shown in FIG. 3 a,FIG. 3 b and FIG. 4 a) to a contracted state (shown in FIG. 4 b). Thecontraction of the springs 312 facilitates rotation and linear movementof the second set of rotatable bodies 314. The linear movement of thesecond set of rotatable bodies 314 displaces the second set of rotatablebodies 314 from respective original location (for example, shown in FIG.4 a) to respective new location (for example, shown in FIG. 4 b). Thecontraction of the springs 312 and the movement of the second set ofrotatable bodies 314 facilitate pulling out a portion, such as, thefirst portion 210 or a requisite expanse of the first sheet of the coils202.

Furthermore, it may be noted, that pulling out the portion of the firstsheet of coils 202 results in a displaced state or contracted state ofthe springs 312. Therefore, in one embodiment, when an external force isnot applied by a user, for example, by means of a fastener, to hold thefirst portion 210, the first portion 210 may retract in the cradle 22due to a restoring force that is applied by the springs 312. Therestoring force, for example, may be applied by the springs 312 toregain respective original positions. Accordingly, when the first end302 of the first portion 210 is not fastened or held using an externalforce, the first portion 210 retracts back in the storage structure 208.

As previously noted, FIG. 4 a shows a perspective top view 400a of thestorage structure 208 with the first sheet of coils 202, in accordancewith one aspect of the present techniques. In the presently contemplatedconfiguration, the storage structure 208 is the spring load arrangementin accordance with one embodiment. As previously noted with reference toFIG. 3 a, the spring load arrangement 208 includes the plurality offirst set of rotatable bodies 310, the plurality of springs 312 and theplurality of second set of rotatable bodies 314. In FIG. 4 a referencenumeral 310′, 312′ and 314′ are used to show a first set wheel in theplurality of first set of rotatable bodies 310, a spring in theplurality of springs 312 and a second set wheel in the plurality ofsecond set of rotatable bodies 314, respectively, that are located nearthe first side 402 of the first sheet of coils 202. Similarly, referencenumerals 310″, 312″ and 314″ are used to show a first set wheel in theplurality of first set of rotatable bodies 310, a spring in theplurality of springs 312 and a second set wheel in the plurality ofsecond set of rotatable bodies 314, respectively, that are located nearthe second side 404 of the first sheet of coils 202.

It is noted that while the presently contemplated configuration showstwo wheels 310′, 310″ in the first set of rotatable bodies 310 and twowheels 314′, 314″ in the second set of rotatable bodies 314, a number ofwheels may vary based upon the size of the cradle 22. As shown in FIG. 4a, in one embodiment, the first set of rotatable bodies 310 includingthe wheels 310′, 310″ are coupled to one another via a first axle shaft406. Since the wheels 310′, 310″ are coupled via the first axle shaft408, both the wheels 310′, 310″ rotate together and complete similarnumber of rotations at a time instant. Similarly, the second set ofrotatable bodies 314 including the wheels 314′, 314″ are coupled via asecond axle shaft 408 to rotate together and complete similar number ofrotations at a time instant. As previously noted with reference to FIG.3 a, the first axle shaft 406 is fixedly coupled to the cradle 22 andthe second axle shaft 408 is not fixedly coupled to the cradle 22.Accordingly, the first axle shaft 406 and the wheels 310′, 310″ do notmove from respective locations, however, the second axle shaft 408 andthe wheels 314′ 314″ may move linearly from respective locations.

Furthermore, as previously noted with reference to FIG. 3 a and shown inFIG. 4 a, the first sheet of coils 202 includes a plurality of holes410. In one embodiment, the holes 410 are located along the length andon both the sides 402, 404 of the first sheet of coils 202.Additionally, as previously noted with reference to FIG. 3 a, each ofthe first set of rotatable bodies 310′, 310″ have the teeth 320, and thesecond set of rotatable bodies have the teeth 322. The teeth 320 in thefirst set of rotatable bodies 310′, 310″ and the teeth 322 in the secondset of rotatable bodies 314′, 314″ penetrate through one or more of theholes 410. For example, as referred to and shown in FIG. 3 a and FIG. 4a, the tooth 324 penetrates through a hole. The penetration of the teeth320, 322 in one or more of the holes 410 holds the first sheet of coils202 tightly and prevents slippage, as well as formation of wrinkles orcrumples on the first sheet of coils 202. Furthermore, the penetrationof the teeth 320, 322 in one or more of the holes 410 helps inmaintaining a close fit for the patient 12.

It is noted that FIG. 4 a shows a position of the storage structure 208when the first end 302 of first sheet of coils 22 has not been pulledout for covering the patient 12. In other words, FIG. 4 a shows a normalposition of the springs 312 (312′, 312″) when the springs 312′ 312″ haveneither stretched nor contracted. As stretched or contracted position ofthe springs 312′, 312″, in accordance with one embodiment is shown inFIG. 4 b. Turning now to FIG. 4 b, a perspective top view 400b of thestorage structure 208 with the first sheet of coils 202 when a portionof the first sheet of coils 202 has been pulled out, in accordance withone aspect of the present systems and techniques is shown. As shown inFIG. 4 a, when the springs 312′, 312″ are in respective normalpositions, the wheels 314′, 314″ are located in respective originallocations. However, as shown in FIG. 4 b, when the first end 302 of thefirst sheet of coils 202 is pulled out, a force F is applied on each ofthe springs 312′, 312″ of the wheels 314′, 314″, respectively, resultsin contraction of the springs 312′, 312″. The contraction of the springs312′, 312″ further leads to displacement of the second set of rotatablebodies 314′, 314″ and the second axle shaft 408 in the direction of theforce. FIG. 4 b shows contracted positions of the springs 312′, 312″ anddisplaced locations of the second set of rotatable bodies 314′, 314″.Particularly, FIG. 4 b shows a top view 400b of the storage structure208 when the first end 302 of the first sheet of coils 202 is pulledout. It is noted that after movement of the wheels 314′, 314″ from thefirst position (shown in FIG. 4 a) to the second position (shown in FIG.4 b), the teeth 322 of the second set of rotatable bodies 314′, 314″penetrates through another set of one or more of the holes 410 in thefirst sheet of coils 202.

Moving now to FIG. 5 a, FIG. 5 b and FIG. 5 c, a diagrammaticillustration 500 of a method of operating the storage structure 208 topull out a portion of the first sheet of coils 202 by a user 502 isillustrated. As previously noted, the storage structure 208 includes theplurality of first set of rotatable bodies 310, the plurality of springs312 and the plurality of second set of rotatable bodies 314. As shown inFIG. 5 a, the storage structure 208, by default, stores the first sheetof coils 202 inside the cradle 22. When the patient 12 is to be imaged,scanned or examined by the imaging device 10 (shown in FIG. 1), thepatient 12 lies down on the cradle 22. Before initiation of imaging, ananatomical region of the patient 12 to be imaged is covered by the firstsheet of coils 202. For covering the anatomical region, the user 502holds the first end 302 and pulls out a portion of the first sheet ofcoils 202 (shown in FIG. 5 b). The user 502, for example, pulls out theportion of the first sheet of coils 202 based upon the size of thepatient 12.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5 c, the user 502 covers the patient 12with the pulled out portion of the first sheet of coils 202. Subsequentto covering the patient 12, the user 502 fastens the first end 302 usinga fastener (not shown). As previously noted, the first end 302, forexample, is fastened on the surface near the second edge 216 of thecradle 22. As noted with reference to FIG. 3 a, the first fastener 311may be disposed on the first end 302 and the second fastener 313 may bedisposed on the surface near the second edge 216 of the cradle 22. Whenthe first end 302 is fastened, any extra portion of the first sheet ofcoils 202 that has been pulled out by the user 502 is retracted by thestorage structure 208 due to a restoring force applied by the springs312. The extra portion, for example, is retracted in the cradle 22.Accordingly, a requisite portion of the first sheet of coils 202 that isrequired to comfortably cover the patient 12 remains over the patient12. The adequate portion gives the patient 12 a close and comfortablefit. For example, the comfortable fit may reduce movements of thepatient 12 during imaging process. Also, the closer fit may facilitateacquisition of superior quality image signals resulting in superiorquality images.

Additionally, subsequent to completion of the imaging process, the firstend 302 may be unfastened. For example, the first fastener 311 may bedetached or unfastened from the second fastener 313. Subsequently thefirst end 302 may be abandoned or left by the user 502. When the user502 abandons or leaves the first end 302, the springs 312 regainrespective original positions due to restoring force. Accordingly, therequisite expanse of the first sheet of coils 202 retracts inside thecradle 22. The storage structure 208 is, therefore, configured toretract the requisite expanse of the first sheet of coils 202, such as,the first portion 210 that is not being used for covering the patient12.

It is further noted that the requisite expanse of the first sheet ofcoils 202 may vary based upon the size and geometry of the patient 12.For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, when a patient 602 is biggerin size and geometry in comparison to a patient 604, a bigger expanse606 of the first sheet of coils 202 is required to cover the patient 602in comparison to a smaller expanse 608 that is required to cover thesmaller patient 604. It is noted from FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b that sincethe patient 602 requires the bigger expanse 606 of the first sheet ofcoils 202, a smaller portion (2L) of the first sheet of coils 202remains stored in the storage structure 208. However, since the patient604 requires a smaller expanse 608 of the first sheet of coils 202, abigger expanse (4L) of the first sheet of coils 202 remains stored inthe storage structure 208.

As previously noted the first sheet of coils 202 includes the pluralityof coils 204 (see FIG. 1). One or more of the plurality of coils 204detect and acquire signals from a gyromagnetic material within thepatient 12, and transmit the signals to a control circuit, such as, thecontrol circuit 16, 36 (see FIG. 1). A number of coils in the pluralityof coils 204 that cover the patient 12 may vary based upon the size andgeometry of the patient 12. Accordingly, a number of coils in theplurality of coils 204 used in the acquisition of the signals from thegyromagnetic material within the patient 12 may vary based upon the sizeand geometry of the patient 12. For example, when a patient is bigger insize, a bigger expanse of the first sheet of coils 202 andcorrespondingly a larger number of coils in the plurality of coils 204covers the patient 12. In comparison, when the patient 12 is smaller, asmaller expanse of the first sheet of coils 202 and correspondingly asmaller number of coils in the plurality of coils 204 covers the patient12. In accordance with one embodiment of the presently contemplatedconfiguration, a processing subsystem, such as, the control circuit 16,26 may automatically determine a number of coils in the plurality ofcoils 204 that cover the patient 12. The number of coils, for example,may be determined after a pre-scan. It is noted that during a pre-scan,pre-scan signals are acquired by the plurality of coils 204. As usedherein, the term “pre-scan” signals are used to refer to signals thatare acquired by the plurality of coils during the conduction ofpre-scan. The amplitudes of one or more of the pre-scan signals acquiredby one or more coils in the coils 204 that do not cover the patient 12may be less than one or more predetermined amplitudes. Similarly, theamplitudes of one or more of the pre-scan signals acquired by one ormore coils in the coils 204 that cover the patient 12 may be higher thanthe one or more predetermined amplitudes. Accordingly, the amplitudes ofthe pre-scan signals are compared to the predetermined amplitudes todetermine coils in the plurality of coils 204 that cover the patient 12and that do not cover the patient 12. The coils in the plurality ofcoils 204 that cover the patient 12 may be activated for imaging, whilethe coils that do not cover the patient 12, may be deactivated. Thecomparison, activation and deactivation may be conducted by the controlcircuit 16, 36. The coils that do cover the patient 12 may be disabledby activating blocking circuits or turning off power to pre-amplifiers.In certain alternative embodiments, the coils that do not cover thepatient 12 may not be deactivated, however, outputs/signals receivedfrom such coils that do not cover the patient 12 may be discarded.

The present systems and methods described hereinabove present anadaptable sheet of coils, such as, receiver coils for patients ofvarious sizes. A single adaptable sheet of receiver coils (for example,an anterior array of receiver coils in MR system) closely andcomfortable fits multiple patient sizes. Particularly, the adaptablesheet of coils is beneficial for pediatric imaging where children whogrow very rapidly and have varied sizes are imaged. Furthermore, a user,such as, an MR technologist may operate and dispose the adaptable sheetof coils singlehandedly by standing on one side of a patient table.Since a single adaptable sheet of coils is used for patients of variedsizes, no time is spent by the user for selection of an appropriate sizesheet of receiver coils. Also, since the adaptable sheet of coils fitsaround and embraces a patient based upon the size of the patient,installation time required for disposing adaptable sheet of coils isminimal Additionally, the adaptable sheet of coils automatically,closely and comfortable fits patients of all sizes by retracting anyextra portion taken out by user. Furthermore, adaptable sheet of coilsretracts inside a cradle when not in use and therefore efforts requiredfor maintaining and storing adaptable of coils are reduced.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

1. An imaging system, comprising: a cradle; and a first sheet of coilsdisposed inside of the cradle such that a first end of the first sheetof coils protrudes out of the cradle and a second end of the first sheetof coils is coupled to a structure; wherein a requisite expanse of thefirst sheet of coils is flexibly pulled out from the cradle by pullingthe first end.
 2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first sheetof coils comprises a plurality of coils that are disposed on one or morelayers of a flexible substrate, a rigid substrate, or combinationsthereof.
 3. The imaging system of claim 2, wherein the plurality ofcoils comprises a receiver coil, a transmitter coil, an anteriorreceiver coil, a posterior receiver coil, a radio frequency coil, orcombinations thereof.
 4. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein thestructure is a fixed structure, a feeder, a mixer, a preamplifier, orcombinations thereof.
 5. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein thestructure is disposed inside the cradle.
 6. The imaging system of claim1, further comprising a storage structure disposed along the width andinside the cradle.
 7. The imaging system of claim 6, wherein the storagestructure stores the first sheet of coils.
 8. The imaging system ofclaim 1, wherein the storage structure comprises a spring loadarrangement, compression or torsional springs with dampers.
 9. Theimaging system of claim 6, further comprising a second sheet of coilsthat is stored inside the cradle, on the cradle or under the cradle. 10.The imaging system of claim 9, wherein the storage structure is disposedunder the second sheet of coils.
 11. The imaging system of claim 10,wherein the first sheet of coils comprises an anterior array of receivercoils and the second sheet of coils comprises a posterior array ofreceiver coils.
 12. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the requisiteexpanse of the first sheet of coils alters based upon the size of apatient lying on the cradle or an anatomical region of the patient to beimaged.
 13. The imaging system of claim 12, wherein the requisiteexpanse of the first sheet of coils is disposed on the anatomical regionof the patient.
 14. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first endof the first sheet of coils protrudes out from a slit located near afirst edge of the cradle.
 15. The imaging system of claim 1, furthercomprising a fastener to fasten the first end of the first sheet ofcoils to a surface near a second edge of the cradle.
 16. The imagingsystem of claim 1, further comprising a first fastener that is disposedon the first end of the first sheet of coils.
 17. The imaging system ofclaim 16, further comprising a second fastener that is disposed on asurface near a second edge of the cradle, wherein the first fastener isattached to the second fastener to secure the requisite expanse of thefirst sheet of coils or a portion of the requisite expanse of the firstsheet of coils over a patient.
 18. The imaging system of claim 17,wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise a hook andloop strip or non-metallic snap-on buttons or latches.
 19. The imagingsystem of claim 17, wherein the cradle is configured to retract therequisite expanse of the first sheet of coils or the portion of therequisite expanse of the first sheet of coils when the first end isunfastened and released.
 20. The imaging system of claim 2, furthercomprising a control circuit that is configured to automaticallyautomate or select a subset of coils in the plurality of coils thatcovers the patient.
 21. The imaging system of claim 20, wherein thecontrol circuit automatically activates or selects the subset of coilsbased upon strengths or amplitudes of signals received during a pre-scanof the patient.
 22. A method of manufacturing, comprising: disposing afirst sheet of coils inside a cradle such that a first end of a firstsheet of coils protrudes out of the cradle and a second end of the firstsheet of coils is coupled to structure, wherein a requisite expanse ofthe first sheet of coils is flexibly pulled out from the cradle bypulling the first end.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprisingdisposing the first sheet of coils inside the cradle such that thecradle automatically retracts the requisite expanse of the first sheetof coils or a portion of the requisite expanse of the first sheet ofcoils when the first end of the first sheet of coils is unfastened orreleased.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the requisite expanse ofthe first sheet of coils or a portion of the requisite expanse of thefirst sheet of coils closely and comfortably fits the patient.